Princess Cruises announced that upon the line's approval to return to service next year its global fleet will feature MedallionClass Experience, boasting a number of new features leveraging touchless technologies and enhancing and personalizing the passenger experience, as well as supporting new health protocols.
The line of smart cruise ships is expanding as vessel transformation has continued during the sailings' suspension. Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Grand Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Sapphire Princess are due to return as MedallionClass liners along with the newbuild Enchanted Princess.
The cruise company's OceanMedallion wearable device replaces the cruise card and pairs with embedded "Internet of things" (IoT-driven) innovative technology to expand touch-free options and personalization onboard Princess MedallionClass cruise ships including:
- touchless embarkation and disembarkation
- keyless stateroom entry
- simplified safety training
- contactless commerce
- on-demand food, beverages, retail items delivered anywhere onboard
- guest service requests through mobile device chat
- entertainment content via smart devices
- location-based gaming and wagering
Princess MedallionClass ships offer "the best Wi-Fi at sea, MedallionNet", so passengers can stay connected to the people and things they love and share vacation memories. MedallionNet features connectivity that is "fast, unlimited, and affordable," so vacationers can stream movies, shows, music, and games; connect to social media sites; video chat from anywhere on the cruise ship.
OceanMedallion connects passengers and crew to an experiential "IoT" platform via a network of readers and sensors that help recognize individuals in locations throughout the cruise ship, facilitating touchless capabilities that include personalized service and interactive entertainment, while reducing contact between passengers and crew in ports and onboard.